Drum Lessons in Creamery, PA

Instruments: Drums

My teaching experience dates back to showing simple rock grooves to the kids at my fathers church. I had very little knowledge about music back then but I knew from early on that I had a niche for teaching. During my time at Rutgers University I was priveleged enough to work for the Rutgers Extension Division which specializes in different lesson and summer programs. Through the Extension Division I was able to gain experience as a counselor, working with children ages 6-18, and also as a substitute drum instuctor. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

My teaching experience began in 1980 while still in high school teaching private lessons. Since then Ive taught at Westminster Choir College, Rutgers University, NJ State and County Teen Arts Programs as well as private and group lessons in my own studio. My casual approach allows students the relaxation and freedom necessary to learn at their own pace. With a strong focus on fundamentals and using those fundamentals as building blocks, my goal is to help students become musical and creative and find their own unique voice on their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Djembe

For all students, I start off with the basic fundamentals. Proper setup, posture, stick position, and technique. I then will hand write some examples and assess the student. From there I usually will use Alfred's Beginning Drum Set Method. Once the student has a grasp on that, I will focus on rudimental drumming and snare rhythms to accompany the drum fill portion of the Alfred's book. From there we move into more advanced books that include jazz drumming and complex rock beats as well as learning popular songs of the student's choice. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I teach my students to read music as well as to play by ear. I host 2 recitals each year. We learn one song start to finish and I hire a professional band to learn and perform the songs with my students at a local establishment or at my studio. I encourage all of my students to perform with our recital band. As far as books, I prefer to use the "new Breed", by Gary Chester, the ''Art of Bop Drumming'', by John Riley , and the ''encyclopedia of reading rhythms'', by Garry Hess, but there are many other books I recommend for specific needs. Read More

Instruments: Drums Synthesizer Djembe

By 2015, I was writing/recording w/ singer-songwriter Chris Panico, challenging my musicianship by composing on drum-machines and loopers, loops, then interpret them live on drumkit and electronics. In 2018, I started teaching drum lessons both privately and through Philadelphias original School of Rock, as well as adjunct-teaching recording classes at the Boyer conservatory at Temple University. In 2019, I started drumming for cover songs for the Music Ministry at First Unitarian of Philadelphia (FUCP), drumming for 9 services before the Pandemic of 2020 shut down our live church music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums

I started playing drums at age 10 thanks to my father, who is a drummer and always had a drum set or two set up in the garage. I joined the school band in 5th grade, but soon quit, as I was distracted in school and it was a little too academic. It was in 6th grade that I started my first band with some friends, and I've played in various bands ever since. Read More

Instruments: Drums

The best way to First expose them to these is to prepare them for a recital and an accompanying piece or two. This is another topic that I would like to help students prepare for; it could be anything from an Allstate jazz band, pieces for school concerts, or just preparedness for live performance. I want to be able to keep a student interested in their studies, whilst giving them the tools to open up their musical knowledge and vocabulary. Read More